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Cell Motility

Cell motility describes the methods that single-celled organisms use to both move in their environments and move things internal to the cell. Different types of cells use a variety of strategies to seek food, produce energy, avoid death and fulfill roles. In multicellular organisms, cell motility enables single cells and groups of cells to migrate in the embryo to the appropriate locations in the body. Unfortunately, this same process critical to physical development becomes deadly when uncontrolled, leading to cancer and the metastasis of cancerous cells.

Most cells in complex animals are stationary. However, cell motility may also be demonstrated in morphology: muscle cell contraction, nerve axon elongation, cell-surface protrusions, even the dividing of cells during mitosis. Inside cells, much more dynamism in cell motility is observed: cytosol streams, vesicle transport systems, and the separation of chromosomes and creation of RNA. Everything in a normal cell is carefully controlled. ATP fuels all cell movements, along with the action of proteins that convert ATP's energy.

The cytoskeleton, a changeable system of fibers in the cytoplasm, supports the cell membrane and provides "tracks" for organelles and other elements to move through the cytosol. This system is constantly rearranging itself to suit new processes. This system is a secondary source of cell motility.

Web Resources On Cell Motility

Cell Motility and Shape I: Microfilaments
Cell Motility in Homeostasis

Book Resources On Cell Motility

Cell Motility in Cancer Invasion and Metastasis by Alan Wells (ed)
Cell Motility : From Molecules to Organisms by Anne Ridley et al.

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